Pickleball Effect: The Podcast

Join Braydon Unsicker and Aaron Ghena on the Pickleball Effect Podcast for honest, data driven takes on paddles, gear, trends, and the business of pickleball. Real testing, real opinions, and conversations that actually help you play better and understand the game.

Pickleball Effect: The Podcast is a sports podcast hosted by Braydon Unsicker, with 142 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Braydon Unsicker hosts Pickleball Effect: The Podcast, a sports show with 142 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #142

  Rafa Filippini on Pressure X, Paddle Engineering & Why Gearbox Does Things Differently | EP 142

  Sep 29, 20261h 8m

  We sit down with Gearbox founder and engineer Rafa Filippini to talk about the new Pressure X, what makes its construction different, and his approach to paddle design and testing. We also hear about Aaron’s pickleball adventures in New York and run through release dates for all the major upcoming paddles. Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save All PE discounts: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview 01:38 Added edge guard tape to paddle tuning lab 04:10 Special delivery - Neonic FLX, SENS, Holbrook Fuze, Engage Pursuit 07:28 Aaron it Out - Pickleball in New York 25:39 Paddle Babble - Upcoming paddle release dates 27:51 Interview with Gearbox CEO & engineer, Rafa Filippini 28:54 Overview and goals with Pressure X paddles 33:33 Inside the Pressure X 42:32 Difference between Gearbox and other other brands 46:30 Do the Pressure X paddles break in and get hot 53:09 Durable grit on the Pressure X 55:38 What does paddle testing have right and wrong 1:06:04 Post interview thoughts __________________________________________ Links to stuff mentioned: Paddle Tuning Lab: https://tune.pickleballeffect.com/ Gearbox Pressure X 8M Specs & Review: https://pickleballeffect.com/paddles/gearbox-pressure-x-8m-elongated/ Gearbox Pressure X 8E Specs & Review: https://pickleballeffect.com/paddles/gearbox-pressure-x-8e-elongated/ Links to gear mentioned: Promo code: PBEFFECT Paddles: Gearbox Pressure X 8M (stiff/hollow): https://gearboxsports.com/products/pressure-x-8m-pickleball-paddle?rfsn=7676489.281577 Gearbox Pressure X 8E (soft/dense): https://gearboxsports.com/products/pressurex-8e-pickleball-paddle?rfsn=7676489.281577 All our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ Support the channel: Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/ Join the PE community: Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/ PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/ Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/ Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/ #pickleball #podcast

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  Episode #141

  Volair CMD First Impressions and the Tech in JOOLA’s Foam Paddle | EP 141

  Sep 22, 202652 min

  Volair licensed 11SIX24’s HexGrit for the new CMD, and our first impressions are good. We break down how it plays and compare it to the 11SIX24 Power 2 Ultre, Jelly Bean 2, Six Zero Coral Pro, and Selkirk OMNI. We also share new details on what’s inside JOOLA’s upcoming Power FX foam paddle. Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save All PE discounts: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview 03:20 Results from paddle picking game, web updates 08:20 Upcoming videos 09:26 Special delivery - Bling Bag Unbagging 11:33 Special delivery - Ascend, Axiom Widebody, Diadem Shoes & grit update 14:54 Aaron it Out - Experience attending PPA Arizona live 24:52 Paddle Babble - Volair CMD tech 24:03 CMD static & performance stats 28:54 Aaron CMD first impressions 33:01 Braydon CMD first impressions 36:19 CMD vs 11SIX24 Power 2 & Jelly Bean 2 38:27 CMD vs Coral Pro Hybrid 42:16 CMD vs Selkirk Omni 43:56 CMD weight setup 45:46 What’s inside JOOLA foam paddle 47:20 Choosing shapes based on tech __________________________________________ Links to stuff mentioned: New paddle fitting quiz (live): https://pickleballeffect.com/equipment-reviews/pickleball-paddle-fitting-quiz/ Links to gear mentioned: Promo code: PBEFFECT Paddles: Volair CMD: https://volair.com/collections/cmd-collection/products/volair-cmd-hyb-pickleball-paddle-16mm-dylan-frazier?rfsn=7475751.28260c 11SIX24: https://11six24.com/?sca_ref=7474553.EbeKeAv2hF0Rh4oJ&sca_source=coupontable Six Zero Coral Pro Hybrid: https://us.sixzeropickleball.com/products/coral-pro?sca_ref=9892574.6WfkgoNKloc0yI Diadem Court Burst Shoes: https://diademsports.com/products/court-burst?sca_ref=6013060.T2dFY8p25O Engage Axiom Widebody: https://engagepickleball.com/collections/allpaddles/products/engage-axiom-widebody-pickleball-paddle?snowball=PBEFFECT All our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ Support the channel: Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/ Join the PE community: Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/ PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/ Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/ Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/ #pickleball #podcast

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  Episode #140

  Fall Launch Season is Starting & New Grit Test Results | EP 140

  Sep 15, 202653 min

  The paddle volume is picking up as we continue testing new releases coming this fall. We also share grit retention results for the Enhance ArmorGrit, Pakle Fuse DuraSpin, and Diadem Edge Flex, plus our testing results for a new tacky paddle surface from Gherkin. Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save All PE discounts: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview 01:15 Current projects, paddles we are playing, watching tennis US Open 08:26 Special delivery - Gherkin Draco Tacktion, Pakle Fuse, Engage X3 09:35 Special delivery - Volair CMD, Licenced Edge Tape, Spiderman Bling Bag opening 13:30 Aaron it Out - Court Order! What are the prettiest court locations 21:31 Paddle Babble - Girt durability results of ArmorGrit, Pakle Fuse, Diadem 24:03 Pakle Duraspin & sound differences & AmorGrit updates 26:11 ArmorGrit updates 27:47 Is Pakle hurting themselves with quick iterations? 32:52 Gherkin Draco Tacktion metrics & spin test 38:58 Diadem Edge Flex metrics & impressions 47:18 Pick a paddle challenge __________________________________________ Links to stuff mentioned: New paddle fitting quiz (live first draft): https://pickleballeffect.com/equipment-reviews/pickleball-paddle-fitting-quiz/ Volair Edge Tape: https://volair.com/collections/volair-edge-guard-tape?rfsn=7475751.28260c Pick A Paddle game (try it yourself): https://paddle-pick-pro.base44.app Links to gear mentioned: Promo code: PBEFFECT Paddles: Enhance: https://www.enhancepickleball.com/PBEFFECT Pakle Fuse: https://paklepickleball.com/discount/BRAYDONUNSICKER?rs_ref=lHCnu22r Gherkin: https://www.gherkinusa.com?sca_ref=8451520.i1GSfwzceE Diadem: https://diademsports.com?sca_ref=6013060.T2dFY8p25O&utm_source=uppromote&utm_medium=affilliate&utm_campaign=braydon-unsicker All our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ Support the channel: Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/ Join the PE community: Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/ PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/ Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/ Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/ #pickleball #podcast

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  Episode #139

  JOOLA Foam Paddle is Coming, Other New Paddles, & Franklin X-44 Ball | EP 139

  Sep 8, 20261h 13m

  September is packed with new releases. We share our first impressions of the Enhance EPP Turbo ArmorGrit and Gearbox Pressure X, take a look at Franklin’s new X-44 ball coming later this year, and speculate on what JOOLA’s mystery foam paddle might be. Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save All PE discounts: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview 01:20 Earbud enlightenment, secret project progression, fitting quiz 09:29 Special delivery - Enhance Turbo, Diadem Edge Flex 11:09 Aaron it Out - Johnsons take down #1 seed 15:35 I read it on Reddit - Jorja’s erne 18:35 I read it on Reddit - Coral Pro to USAP, pb on ocean liner 22:25 I read it on Reddit - Hilarious pickleball addiction progression & paddle pic in car 24:41 Paddle Babble - JOOLA mystery foam paddle 34:28 Aaron’s beef with RPM Jade 37:01 Gearbox Pressure X 48:01 Enhance MPP Turbo ArmorGrit 58:42 Franklin X-44 first impressions 1:08:33 Stock grip impact on balance point __________________________________________ Links to stuff mentioned: New Review Directory page: https://pickleballeffect.com/equipment-reviews/ Braydon’s Gear page: https://pickleballeffect.com/braydons-gear/ Links to gear mentioned: Promo code: PBEFFECT Enhance: https://www.enhancepickleball.com/PBEFFECT Franklin: https://franklinsports.sjv.io/XY9jna Gearbox: https://gearboxsports.com/?rfsn=7676489.281577 JOOLA (code doesn’t apply): https://www.joola.com/?bg_ref=La4dKLtAAD All our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ Support the channel: Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/ Join the PE community: Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/ PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/ Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/ Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/ #pickleball #podcast

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  Episode #138

  Ranking the Best Paddles of the Summer + Vatic Pro Owner Daryl Wang

  Sep 1, 20261h 7m

  We sit down with the owner of Vatic Pro to talk about the new V-Sol Tour series, how the brand has evolved, and what’s coming next. We also rank our top 5 paddle releases of the summer and share our on-court impressions of the V-Sol Tour paddles. Shop Pickleball Central (use link to apply up to 10% off everything): https://a8qh.short.gy/save Upcoming PE Labor Day Sale here: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/ __________________________________________ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Preview 01:57 New web pages, Aaron’s league 06:44 Special delivery - Franklin balls, Gearbox, Proton 11:17 Aaron it Out - Vatic Pro owner interview 12:40 The vision for the V-Sol Tour 15:35 How are they able to only charge $100? 19:56 Are some paddles being phased out and what’s coming next? 22:00 How did EverGrit pass certification, it’s so gritty? 23.03 Will Vatic ever do UPA certification? 23:57 About Vatic Pro growth over last three years 26:42 Thoughts on acquisitions & where R&D comes from 34:20 Paddle Recon 39:30 Paddle Babble - Ranking Summer paddle releases 56:05 Vatic V-Sol Tour gameplay impressions __________________________________________ Links to stuff mentioned: New Review Directory page: https://pickleballeffect.com/equipment-reviews/ Braydon’s Gear page: https://pickleballeffect.com/braydons-gear/ Links to gear mentioned: Promo code: PBEFFECT Paddles: 11SIX24 Jelly Bean 2: https://11six24.com/collections/frontpage/products/vapor-jelly-bean-2?sca_ref=7474553.EbeKeAv2hF0Rh4oJ&sca_source=stats Engage Axiom: https://engagepickleball.com/collections/allpaddles/products/engage-axiom-elongated-pickleball-paddle?snowball=PBEFFECT Mark UnMarked 2026: https://markpickleball.com/products/unmarked-2026?sca_ref=6258187.LVz22xOG9U&sca_source=stats Pickleball Apes Zen S+: https://www.pickleballapes.com/products/zen-new-paddle?sca_ref=4608508.ipmCfUFGpV&sca_source=stats Ronbus: https://ronbus.com/?ApplyPromo=pbeffect Spartus Spitfire: https://gospartus.com/products/spitfire-elongated?sca_ref=6068785.myJ3OwCv4B&sca_source=stats Vatic Pro: https://vaticpro.com/?sca_ref=3260078.CzQXcNupcD&sca_source=review#038;sca_source=coupontable All our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ Support the channel: Save on gear and support the channel using our discount codes: https://pickleballeffect.com/discounts/ Pickleball Effect products: https://pickleballeffectshop.com/ Join the PE community: Main Paddle Monitor: https://main.pickleballeffect.com/ Website: https://pickleballeffect.com/ PE/Braydon’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballeffect/ Aaron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghenaric/ Paddle Database: https://pickleballeffect.com/pickleball-paddle-database/ #pickleball #podcast

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